The biggest mistake in obesity research

Here is a slide from one of the least insightful talks at the obesity conference. Obesity is “caused” by a positive energy balance, by “eating to much and lack of exercise”.

This is the biggest mistake on the subject. Developing obesity is of course associated with a positive energy balance. That’s just basic physics. But “caused by”? With the same lazy logic constipation is caused by eating too much and not pooping enough.

Of course constipation is caused by something else. Like obesity.

6 comments

LOL. When people tell me this, I always walk through Gary Taubes dialogue (http://garytaubes.com/2010/12/inanity-of-overeating/) with them. Usually it ends differently, tho. Usually by the third question the prejudice comes out: "Because they are weak-willed gluttons.' That's when you know you're just not dealing with a scientific mind. :)

After my sleeve gastrectomy I can state that yes, eat less, lose weight. But I was craving sweets CONSTANTLY before my VSG and not so much now. There is so much more to this than just eat less and exercise, which makes you hungry.

Dr. Eenfeldt, later this year I hope to be moving to Norway. I hope you will be lecturing in English some time in 2012 in Scandinavia. I'll be happy to make the trip to hear you.